AE Expeditions
Embark on an adventure through the famed Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula with AE Expeditions, partnered with Scientist Discovery Tours. Embracing the spirit of polar expedition, during the crossing enjoy educational lectures, explore the Science Centre, and admire soaring seabords befor stepping foot on the ice to behold dazzling landscapes and fascinating wildlife. Onboard the new, state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel, the Douglas Mawson, with revolutionary design to minimise environmental impacts and promise a sleeker cruising experience. With no more than 130 guests, take advantage of an even deeper sense of immersion in this otherworldly landscape.
Day 1
Arrive in Ushuaia and meet your AE Expeditions representative for a seamless transfer to your pre-voyage hotel. Visit the hospitality desk to secure your luggage tags and register for the Lake Escondido tour. The AE Expeditions team remains on hand to provide embarkation details, dining recommendations, and assistance with any last-minute essentials.
Day 2
After breakfast, drop your tagged cabin luggage at reception for direct transfer to the ship. You may then join the Lake Escondido tour, a panoramic drive through the Andes featuring glacial valleys, the Garibaldi Pass, and a traditional Fuegian lamb barbecue. Alternatively, enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the pier for embarkation. Once onboard, settle into your cabin for mandatory briefings as the ship departs Ushuaia. The evening concludes with a festive welcome dinner, offering the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow adventurers and expedition team before your journey to Antarctica begins.
Days 3 - 4
As you cross the Drake Passage, settle into the rhythm of the sea. The expedition team begins an immersive lecture program on Antarctic history and wildlife, alongside essential biosecurity briefings. From the deck, photograph majestic albatrosses and giant petrels following the vessel, or retreat to the wellness centre and observation lounges. By day four, excitement peaks as the first icebergs appear near the South Shetland Islands. Crossing the Antarctic Convergence reveals a surreal world of floating ice sculptures. If weather permits, the adventure truly begins with a potential late-afternoon landing on the pristine white continent.
Days 5 - 8
Arriving in Antarctica is an incomparable experience, marked by the scent of the world’s crispest air and the sight of your first iceberg. With 18–24 hours of daylight, the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula become a vast playground for discovery. Your expert expedition team will design a flexible daily itinerary, prioritising the best wildlife encounters and ice conditions. Typically, you will enjoy twice-daily Zodiac excursions or landings. Cruise alongside towering ice cliffs in search of whales and seals, or head ashore to visit bustling penguin rookeries and historic huts. For the adventurous, snow-covered ridgelines offer breathtaking vistas, while the "Polar Plunge" provides the ultimate icy thrill.
Days 9 - 10
Following a final morning landing in the South Shetland Islands, you will re-enter the Drake Passage for the return journey. This time at sea offers a perfect window for reflection and final lectures from the AE Expeditions team. As you share stories with fellow travellers, we hope you become lifelong ambassadors for Antarctic conservation. Keep your binoculars ready for the diverse marine life of the Southern Ocean. If weather and time permit, the Captain may navigate close to the legendary Cape Horn, providing a dramatic conclusion to your expedition before we reach the tip of South America.
Day 11
Your journey comes to an end today as you disembark the ship and head to the airport for your journey home.